"Try this on," Daissy Owen says, tossing another T-shirt over the WalMart changing room door.

After trying on several articles of clothing, I finally found the perfect T-shirt, printed with the Hawkeye symbol of the American football team that has become an icon of Iowa city, Iowa.

Before leaving for the University of Iowa in April, I got some useful tips from Daissy, my landlady at a bed-and-breakfast about half an hour's walk from the university. My predecessors in the exchange program had all stayed at her house.

During my month-long stay, Daissy became a source of inspiration for my lectures and a dear friend to turn to in times of hardship.

"It's still cold here, and you might need gloves and a scarf," she wrote in an e-mail.

"But you don't need to bring too many clothes. Your predecessors had fun shopping for clothes."

So on one sunny day, I found myself hunting for summer outfits for my family. While I stayed in my comfort zone - that is, with acquaintances, seldom venturing out to chat with total strangers - Daissy always enjoys chance meetings with anyone interesting.

As I puzzled over the contradictory sizes offered by my husband, Daissy enlisted the help of a saleslady from Hong Kong. The three of us knelt on the floor to measure the jeans that could fit my husband perfectly.

We then went to a Thai cashier, and Daissy eagerly practiced her Thai.

"I'm planning another trip to China next year," she said as we drove home. She has visited most big Chinese cities and longs to see Yunnan province's Shangri-La.

Daissy is a native of Colombia and is accustomed to traveling. She often took a long-distance bus by herself to see the dentist at the age 10.

Over the years, she has journeyed through more than 70 countries and regions on all seven continents, including Antarctica. Atop her dinner table are teacups and trays from China, Japan, Egypt and many other countries.

As soon as I entered the studio in the backyard, which has a private bathroom and kitchen, I was struck by its coziness and aesthetics.

She placed a "welcome" card with fruits on a table, which would serve as my computer desk as I gulped down the noodles I bought from a Korean market and spaghetti left by previous guests. I also contributed to the "mini UN" of cuisine with soy sauce and chopsticks, so future guests can enjoy a taste of China.

What impresses me the most about Daissy is her independence.

As Spring finally arrived in mid-April, she hauled out a leaf blower to clear last year's leaves from the lawn. I rolled up my sleeves and joined in the Spring cleaning.

The sun peeped out as we moved flowerpots and dragged bags of soil to evacuate the last of the leaves. "I enjoy working. There is nothing better than getting the yard ready for new flowers," she said in her heavy Colombian accent.

When she learned I had never taught foreign students, Daissy took it upon herself to get expert advice and invited me to breakfast with her friends at the university. She had worked hard to earn her doctorate and taught Spanish in an amusing way.

As we sipped wine, savored fish and chewed carrots, an idea dawned on me: Rather than simply showing the students the basics of Chinese culture, I'd put them in groups and stage a chopsticks-using contest to break the ice during the first lecture.

It was a huge success, and Daissy was even happier than I was.

An Indian psychology doctoral student once stayed at her inn and asked Daissy what motivates her to run the place without any help and why she always looks so cheerful.

"I'm 73. I don't have anyone to support me. I don't want to get old, I want to remain youthful forever," Daissy says.